Coprosma plant named ‘Scarlett 2’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Coprosma  plant named ‘Scarlett 2’ that is characterized by a compact habit, glossy leaves, young leaves that are grey-purple and mature leaves that are brown with grey-red margins.

Botanical classification: Coprosma repens.

Variety denomination: ‘Scarlett 2’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Coprosmaplant botanically known as Coprosma repens and hereinafter referred toby the cultivar name ‘Scarlett 2’.

The new cultivar was discovered by the inventor in a cultivated area ofCambridge, New Zealand in 2013. ‘Scarlett 2’ was discovered as anaturally occurring branch mutation of Coprosma ‘Scarlett O'Hara’ (notpatented).

Asexual reproduction by tip cuttings of the new cultivar ‘Scarlett 2’was first performed in 2013 in Cambridge, New Zealand. Since that time,under careful observation, the unique characteristics of the newcultivar have been uniform, stable and reproduced true to type insuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following represent the distinguishing characteristics of the newCoprosma cultivar ‘Scarlett 2’.

-   -   1. Coprosma ‘Scarlett 2’ exhibits a compact habit.    -   2. Coprosma ‘Scarlett 2’ exhibits glossy leaves.    -   3. Coprosma ‘Scarlett 2’ exhibits young leaves that are        grey-purple.    -   4. Coprosma ‘Scarlett 2’ exhibits mature leaves that are brown        with grey-red margins.

The closest comparison cultivars are Coprosma ‘Evening Glow’ (notpatented) and ‘Tequila Sunrise’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,392). The newcultivar ‘Scarlett 2’ is distinguishable from ‘Evening Glow’ by thefollowing characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘Scarlett 2’ has mature leaves that are brown with grey-red        margins. The mature leaves of ‘Evening Glow’ are green with        yellow-green center blotches and red margins.

The new cultivar ‘Scarlett 2’ is distinguishable from ‘Tequila Sunrise’by the following characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘Scarlett 2’ has mature leaves that are brown with grey-red        margins. The mature leaves of ‘Tequila Sunrise’ are green with        orange margins.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘Scarlett 2’ are distinguishable from theparent plant ‘Scarlett O'Hara’ by the following characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘Scarlett 2’ has longer lateral branches than the lateral        branches of ‘Scarlett O'Hara’.    -   2. ‘Scarlett 2’ has mature leaves that are brown with grey-red        margins. The mature leaves of ‘Scarlett O'Hara’ are red-orange        with light red margins.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photograph illustrates the distinguishing traits ofCoprosma ‘Scarlett 2’. The plant in the photograph shows an overall viewof a 12 month old plant.

The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and althoughcolors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectanceit is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new Coprosma cultivarnamed ‘Scarlett 2’. Data was collected in Cambridge, New Zealand from 12month old outdoor grown plants in 2.5 liter containers. The time of yearwas Fall and the average temperature range was 18 to 22 degreesCentigrade during the day and 5 to 13 degrees Centigrade at night. Nophotoperiodic treatments or growth retardants were used. Colordeterminations are in accordance with The Royal Horticultural SocietyColour Chart 2001 edition, except where general color terms of ordinarydictionary significance are used. The growing requirements are similarto the species. ‘Scarlett 2’ has not been tested under all possibleconditions and phenotypic differences may be observed with variations inenvironmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, however, without anyvariance in genotype.

-   Botanical classification: Coprosma repens ‘Scarlett 2’.-   Use: Ornamental perennial.-   Parentage: ‘Scarlett 2’ is a naturally occurring branch mutation of    Coprosma ‘Scarlett O'Hara’.-   Vigor: Moderate.-   Growth rate: Moderate.-   Growth habit: Freely branching, dense, bushy habit.-   Plant shape: Broad upright inverted triangle.-   Suitable container size: 2.5 liter container.-   Height: Average 70-91 cm. in height.-   Width: Average 70-91 cm. in width.-   Low temperature tolerance: −2 degrees Centigrade.-   High temperature tolerance: 38 degrees Centigrade.-   Propagation: Tip cuttings.-   Time to initiate roots: Approximately 40 days in the Summer at 20    degrees Centigrade and 45 days in the Winter at 18 degrees    Centigrade.-   Time to produce a rooted cutting: Approximately 120 days in the    Summer at 20 degrees Centigrade and 200 days in the Winter at 18    degrees Centigrade.-   Root system: Fine and fibrous.-   Lateral branches:    -   -   Quantity.—Approximately 22.        -   Dimensions.—32 cm. in length and 3.5 mm. in diameter.        -   Internode length.—8 mm.        -   Stem color.—177A.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Pinching.—Yes, at 50 days.-   Foliage:    -   -   Texture.—Smooth, glossy.        -   Leaf arrangement.—Opposite.        -   Leaf attachment.—Sessile.        -   Compound or single.—Single.        -   Leaf shape.—Obovate.        -   Leaf apex.—Obtuse.        -   Leaf base.—Rounded.        -   Leaf length.—Average 2.5 cm. in length.        -   Leaf width.—Average 1.5 cm. in width.        -   Pubescence.—Absent.        -   Leaf margin.—Entire, unevenly recurved, slightly wavy.        -   Vein pattern.—Pinnate.        -   Young leaf color (upper surface).—187A.        -   Young leaf color (lower surface).—187A.        -   Mature leaf color (upper surface).—N200A, margins 180A.        -   Mature leaf color (lower surface).—N200A, margins 180A.        -   Durability of foliage to stress.—Moderate to high.-   Flowers: Coprosma ‘Scarlett 2’ has not produced flowers to date.-   Disease and insect resistance: Plants of the new Coprosma have not    been observed for disease or insect resistance.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Coprosmaplant named ‘Scarlett 2’ as described and illustrated.